THE SANGEET...Aaja Nachle - Part 1

Aaja Nachle...Nachle...Nachle mere saath tu nachle...

Nov 14th...

The SANGEET was the most looked forward to, ceremony amongst all of us...why?...cos most of us had never attended a Sangeet until now (you see, we come from the South of India, a ceremony like Sangeet is not a part of the South indian marriages...and thirdly, very very few in our family are married to Punjabi's). To be honest, Raja is the second Singh to be married into our family. The first being my awesome brother-in law (Less BIL,  more my brother) SP Singh...he and his family truly live by the adage SINGHs are KINGs!! Anyway, fed on a staple diet of Bollywood films - ...we knew the SANGEET would be lots of fun, with lots of music and dancing, Dhol Dhamaka...and yes there would be an Open bar and the Patiala pegs would be overflowing...

...morning of the Sangeet

Gift  packing was first on the agenda. Gift packing is an art and a personal touch to the gift.
Since fabric and its hues have always fascinated me...how lovely would it be to gift wrap all the Sasural wallon (In-laws) ke gifts in some fabric...it had to be a wee bit sheer to allow the stuff to be seen...Shyla okayed the idea...and off I went to Hancock fabrics to buy some Tulle material...something in gold, in fuchsia and red colors. Spent a delightful hour at the store, showcased what I was planning to do...had 2 lovely ladies throw in their thoughts...and finally walked out of the store with some sequined Tulle material in Gold, Red and Aqua. Shyla was tasked to get some gold lace to tie from India. Next was the packaging of the bride's trousseau...
In the olden days and in many parts of the world even today, as soon as a girl child is born, the mother starts making or collecting her trousseau - Vessels, silver or gold ornaments, clothes, quilts, pillow covers...sheets...Stored in a trousseau chest...the bride is always reminded of her mothers home or Maikhe. I have 3 trousseau chests made of wood at home...and I so love them (I store my comforters, duvets in 2 of them...and books and odd little things in the 3rd). So with Purni's marriage coming by, and Shyla going to Bombay to pick up her trousseau,...I asked Shyla to buy a steel suitcase-like-trunk and get it to Atlanta.  I would then paint the trunk...and make it a trousseau chest for Purni...they could use it later to store stuff or use it as a coffee table or an accent table...

Alas...Shyla was unable to find a trunk...and the dream of sending Purni to her Sasural with her trousseau in a trunk bit the dust...sad!

Anyway, come wednesday morning, the Tulle material was cut into large squares...The clothes were placed on trays then on 2 layers of Tulle - Gold and Aqua...the edges were then gathered and tied together with the decorative gold lace

The silver ice cream cups became the dry fruit containers...Filled each of the containers with dry fruits,,,(a big thanks to Jay, Lynne and Shyla for driving to Wegmanns and getting the fresh dry-fruits, colourful fruits and the cellophane paper), cut some clear cellophane paper into squares and neatly covered each of the cups. Arranged the Silver cups on the silver plate...and placed the silver scent sprinkler in the center...Again used the yellow tulle to wrap this set...

Fruit basket covering was easy...arranged the fruit in the basket - keep in mind the size, colour and weight of the fruit...

the last was Raja's wedding Sherwani and Joothis..the Sherwani was sooo heavy! probably weighed about 10 lbs. So the evening before, Jay, Shyla and myself went out to get a large tray or a basket, to place the Sherwani...Searched a couple of stores...didn't like anything...finally landed at Homegoods and decided on a beautiful low large wicker tray...the good part between the 3 of us is that our choices match....so with the Tray selected...we were heading to the cashier...and I meandered...now, as I was entering the shop, I had spotted some trunks or chests...Off  I went to check the prices before we left...and right sitting there.. was one that I fell in love with. It was perfect! Called the girls over and showed them the trunk...they too loved it. (smiles) and we carried the same home..(smiles)

 

Purnima's dad and mama carrying Raja's trunk...

(Picture copyright of Jaylim photography) 

The actual Sangeet ceremony will be in the Part 2 of the post, as there is so much to narrate...Yes, the SANGEET was simply awesome, ...wait for Part 2...ok...here is a teaser...(smile)..

(Picture copyright of Jaylim photography)

Hope you liked the post....